Fixing Windows 10 compatibility issues.

It gives the impression of a radically new operating system - just look at the version number, which differs from Windows 7 by three digits. That's all pre-installed applications– new “universal” ones, not traditional desktop ones.

However, those who need traditional desktop programs need not worry. Let the unfamiliar Windows decoration 10 doesn't scare you: if an app worked on Windows 7, it will almost certainly work on Windows 10.

Inside the system is similar to Windows 7 and 8

Yes, you can run traditional desktop programs on Windows 10. In terms of its internal structure, Windows 10 is very similar to Windows 8, and that, in turn, to Windows 7. The application security model and driver architecture have not changed radically - there is no such difference as between Windows XP and Windows Vista or Windows 7, no.

In other words, if an app works on Windows 7 or 8, it will almost certainly work on Windows 10. Yes, Windows 10 does and absolutely new model applications, but traditional desktop programs can run in parallel with these new "universal" applications.


Windows RT is no more

Microsoft abandoned development, so even Microsoft Surface 3 you can use desktop programs, although you couldn't use Surface 2 yet.

16-bit applications - that is, any programs from Windows 3.1 - will not work on 64-bit versions of Windows 10. They work in 32-bit versions of Windows 7, so if you can’t do without using 16-bit programs, install the 32-bit version of Windows 10. In general, with Windows 7 things were exactly the same - in 64-bit versions of the system 16-bit applications did not work. When trying to run a 16-bit program in a 64-bit Windows versions 10 a message appears stating that it is not supported on this computer.


How to check application compatibility

Microsoft has an Update Assistant that scans the system and reports any incompatible programs and devices. This assistant is built into the Get Windows 10 app, which was automatically installed on all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers through Center Windows updates. Click on the application icon in the taskbar and run a compatibility check.

If you have important business applications or other essential programs, try checking with the software company to see if they are compatible with Windows 10. There shouldn't be any problems if they worked on Windows 7 and 8.

If you can't do without these apps, you can wait a few weeks to upgrade and see if they work for other users on Windows 10. After all, there's no need to rush to upgrade—it'll be free for a full year after Windows 10 releases.


Windows 10 is not compatible with some legacy Windows built-in programs. For example, it doesn't work Windows Media Center, which could still be downloaded for a fee for Windows 8. Traditional desktop versions of the built-in games - Hearts, Solitaire and Minesweeper - are excluded from the system, but there are modern "universal" ones versions of the last two. There is no built-in DVD playback feature, but you can install something like VLC Player instead. Desktop mini-applications (gadgets) are gone forever, but that's not so bad - reliable protection they could not boast of data.
Materials

On Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 operating systems, users may encounter the following message: “The program is running in compatibility mode.” Compatibility settings should be disabled as they may cause unwanted effects. Should you still launch the application?

To get rid of this message and run the application correctly, you should disable compatibility mode.

Disable compatibility mode

The process for disabling compatibility mode is the same for all operating systems Windows 7 and higher. Therefore, we perform the following steps:

  • Press “Win+R” and enter “msc”.

  • The services window will open. In the list we find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service”.

  • Double-click to open the service settings and click “Stop”.

  • This service will be disabled until the next PC restart. To completely disable program compatibility mode, right-click on this service and select “Properties”.

  • In the “General” tab, in the startup type, select “Disabled”.

Now the message asking you to disable compatibility mode will not appear. To enable the Program Compatibility Service back, we perform all the same steps, only set the value to “Enabled”.

Let's look at this instruction on how to disable compatibility mode in the operating system. Windows system. A special compatibility mode allows you to run older programs in new version Windows.

Many users use it to work on a computer software, the last releases of which were released quite a long time ago. It happens that the developer has stopped supporting the application, the program is not updated for some reason, and in the meantime a new version of the OS has been released. Until the transition to a new version of Windows, the program works and fully satisfies the user's needs.

After installing a new version of Windows or after upgrading to Windows 10 from previous versions Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, it turns out that some programs do not work on the computer. To run older applications that work fine in previous versions operating system, Windows compatibility mode is used.

In some cases, the user needs to disable Windows Compatibility Mode. For example, released latest version applications that support a new version of Windows, or because this mode interferes with the operation of some programs.

Sometimes, messages appear stating that the program is running in compatibility mode, so the user is faced with the question of how to disable this mode for an individual program or disable the mode altogether on the computer.

Compatibility Mode Windows programs You can disable it in two ways:

  • disable program compatibility mode
  • disable compatibility mode in Windows operating system

In the first case, compatibility mode will be disabled for the individual program. In the second option, the system service responsible for program compatibility on the computer will be disabled.

To disable Program Compatibility Mode in Windows, you can use several methods: from “Manage Services”, disable the “Program Compatibility Assistant Service”, disable it using the Local Editor group policy", or by disabling the service in the system configuration.

How to disable compatibility mode for a specific program (method 1)

To disable compatibility mode for a specific program, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the shortcut or program file. IN context menu select "Properties".
  2. In the Properties: Application Name window, open the Compatibility tab.
  3. In the “Compatibility Mode” section, uncheck the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”, and then click on the “OK” button.

After this, the compatibility mode for this application will be turned off in the Windows operating system.

Disabling the Compatibility Assistant service in the System Configuration application (method 2)

The easiest way to disable the Program Compatibility Assistant service in Windows is to use system program System configuration.

Make the following settings:

  1. IN search bar Windows, enter the expression: "msconfig" (without quotes), and then run the system utility.
  2. In the System Configuration window, open the Services tab, find the Program Compatibility Assistant Service service.
  3. Uncheck the box next to “Program Compatibility Assistant Service”, click on the “Apply” and “OK” buttons (In Windows 7, the service is called “Program Compatibility Information”).

  1. Restart your computer.

After the computer starts, the Program Compatibility Assistant service will be disabled in the Windows operating system.

Stop the Program Compatibility Assistant service (3rd method)

Another method is to disable the Compatibility Assistant service in local services in the Windows operating system.

Configure the following settings:

  1. Press the “Win” + “R” keys on your keyboard at the same time.
  2. In the “Run” window, in the “Open” field, enter the expression “services.msc” (without quotes), and then click on the “OK” button to execute the command.
  3. In the Services window, double-click on the Program Compatibility Assistant service.

  1. In the “Properties: Program Compatibility Assistant Service (Local System)” window, in the “General” tab, click on the “Stop” button if the service is running in this moment time.
  2. In the Startup Type setting, select Disabled and then click OK.

Disabling the Compatibility Assistant in the Local Group Policy Editor (method 4)

Users of the Windows operating system in editions: Pro, Enterprise, For educational institutions can use another method using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Go through the following steps:

  1. Type "gpedit.msc" (without quotes) into the Windows Search box, and then launch Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. In the “Policy” setting Local computer”” Open the “User Configuration” section.
  3. Follow the path “Administrative Templates”, then “ Windows components", find the "Application Compatibility" policy.
  4. Double-click on the “Disable Program Compatibility Assistant” option.

  1. In the Disable Program Compatibility Assistant window, select the Disabled option, and then click OK.

Conclusion

If necessary, the user can disable Windows Program Compatibility Mode for an individual program or disable the Program Compatibility Assistant service in the Windows operating system in three different ways.

As soon as the user starts the program, the OS automatically turns on the Compatibility Assistant. It is designed to improve system performance, but on devices with minimal technical parameters, one more running utility will cause a crash or slow work(how to increase PC speed is described in the article “”). Therefore, if you want to speed up your computer, read how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 10.

Shutdown

Windows Compatibility Assistant is designed to track:

  • programs installed on the computer (read how to remove a program from a PC in the article “”);
  • failures that occurred previously during application operation;
  • ways to solve emerging compatibility problems.

It is also designed to run applications written for earlier versions of the OS. But if you don't want to constantly see messages on your PC asking you to install an app with recommended settings, disable this feature.

Using the Services

In Group Policy

  1. Press Win+R and enter the command: gpedit.msc.
  2. Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components - Application Compatibility.
  3. On the right side of the window, find “Disable Program Compatibility Assistant” → RMB → Change → Enabled → confirm changes → restart your PC.

In OS Configuration


Manually launch applications in compatibility mode

RMB on the launch shortcut → properties → “Compatibility” tab.

There are three options available here:

  • click the “Run Compatibility Troubleshooter” button - the system will automatically try to solve the problems;
  • in the “Compatibility Mode” block, check the box “Run the program in compatibility mode for” and select from the drop-down list the OS in which the application worked stably;
  • in the “Parameters” block, specify the values ​​with which the program will be launched in compatibility mode - save the changes.

Good to know! To make the changes made for each user on the computer, click the “Change settings for all users” button (Administrator rights are required).

The video describes the manual start process more clearly.

Automatic parameter detection

  1. To start automatic setup, you can also right-click on the shortcut to launch the program - Fix compatibility problems.
  2. After diagnostics, windows will appear with two options for troubleshooting:
    • use recommended parameters;
    • program diagnostics.
  3. Select “Use recommended settings” to automatically configure the program → the utility will offer to check the functionality of the application with the changes made.
  4. Launch the application and check its functionality → Next.
  5. The utility will ask if the problems with the application's performance have been resolved → select one of the proposed options.

Conclusion

If a program stops working on Windows 10, use the Compatibility Assistant to start it. If necessary, it can be disabled. But it is not recommended to do this if it does not interfere with the operation of the computer.

Users of a personal computer who have operating systems 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 may see this type of message on the monitor during operation: “The program is running in compatibility mode.” Many people, especially inexperienced ones, are confused about what it is and how to run it in compatibility mode with Windows 7.

The following is alarming information that states that compatibility settings must be disabled, as they can lead to undesirable consequences for the operation of the computer. This is followed by clarifying information: “However, should you launch the application?”

What is compatibility mode in Windows 10

Computer equipment is a complex set with which we play games, run “heavy” applications and carry out a number of actions designed for comfortable use of a PC. Compatibility mode is the correct adaptation of the computer's operation if you have changed operating system for some reason.

For a clear example, let’s consider the case when you are a fan of one of the games on the Internet, you previously had Windows 7 installed on your PC, after a while you decided to improve your computer and installed Windows 10. Your game begins to act up and does not carry out your actions. It remains to understand the reason and solve the problem of how to enable compatibility mode in Windows 10.

In some cases, compatibility mode is not needed for the computer and then you need to disable it. It's important to remember that automatic setting launch is allowed in several options:

  • The service has been completely stopped.
  • It is necessary to check only one version of the program on a PC.
  • It can be launched through the PC Group Policy Editor.

If you do not need to use at least one option, then you can safely disable compatibility mode.

How to stop compatibility mode in WWindows 7

To ensure that this service does not interfere with the work on your PC, it is enough to once and for all do a comprehensive job that will check for compatibility. If you disable the Assistant service, you can launch the program again at any time if the need arises.

To find out how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 7, you need to use the program's Run tool. To do this, you can use the location combination Win+R and enter the required command services.msc.

After we click the “OK” button, we will need to find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service” in the drop-down list. Select this option and right-click on this option. In this case, one of two options is possible.


Don’t forget to confirm all actions using the “Save” or “Change” buttons.

Compatibility mode in WWindows 8 to turn off one program

To perform an action for one program on your PC, you do not need to turn on/off compatibility mode for all affected programs. Now all that remains is to solve the problem of how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 10 for one program.


Withdrawal via Group Policy

On your personal computer you can solve the question of how to turn off compatibility mode on Windows 7 by executing one command program like gpedit.msc. We carry out all actions using the previously worked out activation scheme “Run” (or Win + R). After the user confirms his action with the “OK” button, a pop-up window will appear in front of him, which will display the information “Local Group Policy Editor”.

In the same section, look for “Administrative Templates”, open the drop-down option “Windows Components” and click on the names in the following sequence:


Be sure to save and confirm all settings changes at the end of the process.